Some restaurants crash, some fade away, and others somehow, some way, get back on top. Thanks to a team of investors and chefs, the storied Mayflower Cafe might just be be on the cusp of a renaissance.
Mike Kountouris and George Gouras opened the Mayflower Cafe in 1937. The cafe quickly became a fixture on the restaurant scene as generations of Jacksonians enjoyed its fine seafood even as downtown's fortunes faded. Mike's son, Jerry, kept the tradition alive but ready to retire, he put the restaurant for sale. Time passed and appeared the Mayflower might close for good until former Jackson Mayor Kane Ditto, Mart Lamar, and other investors stepped in and saved the Mayflower.
The investors hired Cody McCain and Hunter Evans of Elvie's Restaurant. Nestled in Belhaven, Elvie's quickly blossomed after it opened in 2020. Evans earned the respect of his peers, garnering a nomination for the prestigious James Beard Award this year. In other words, this guy knows how to cook.
McCain and Evans took a long look at the Mayflower, did their homework, and took on the restoration of a Jackson legend.
Restaurateurs have dreams but dreams need capital and in this case, much capital if they were to revive the Mayflower. The team studied old pictures, stories, and the architecture and elected to restore it to how it appeared in the 1930's - but with some much-needed improvements.
One common complaint about the Mayflower was what passed for bathrooms. One had to leave the cafe, go to the rear of the building, and walk up a flight of stair to get some relief. The bathrooms were not exactly in pristine condition. To say they were an unattractive feature of the restaurant is a gross understatement with gross being the key word.
The Ditto team leased the room next door and built a hallway connecting the cafe to the bathrooms. With that problem solved, the team turned its attention to restoring the restaurant.
Burned out lights were replaced. A new outdoor neon sign that captures the Mayflower's seafood offerings was installed.
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| Labor of love |
The blue booths were restructured and reupholstered in brown while the bar was moved to the front. The middle tables remain the same although the booth tables were replaced.
The Mayflower ceiling is actually 20-25 feet high. However, the owners installed a false ceiling in the over 70 years ago when air-conditioning was installed. The ceiling's height made the temperature inside hotter so a "drop ceiling" was installed that was four feet lower.
The team removed the drop ceiling, giving the Mayflower this look.
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| The original ceiling |
The drop ceilings removal brought an unforeseen but welcome improvement. The false ceiling covered up the glass tiles above the front of the restaurant. With the ceiling gone, sunlight now brightens the Mayflower.
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| Here comes the sun! |
One forgotten feature of the Mayflower were the ice bins. Once upon a time, the Mayflower Cafe presented fresh fish placed on a bed of ice behind the front windows.
"I walked in and said what are these? I said this is amazing, why do we not do this? We buy a lot of stuff from the Gulf. We do that at Elvies. It's a one of a kind" said Evans about the bins. Evans and McCain studied the old pictures, replaced the pump, and cleaned up the bins. Voila:
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| Before.... |
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| After |
One bin will be used to display seafood while the other bin will serve as an oyster bar of sorts. An employee will shuck oysters and place them on the ice. Progress!
The renovations exposed a rather attractive feature ignored over the years: the porthole-shaped windows. Covered up by memorabilia, the windows were barely noticed. Cleaning up the wall yielded the following result.
Memorabilia will be placed back on the wall but not at the expense of the windows.
Restoration took place outside as well as no detail was too small for the Ditto team. The flooring outside the front door sported an anchor logo. A car crash demolished a few of the times years ago. Check out the anchor today.
Speaking of expense, little was spared on the Mayflower Cafe's revival. McCain said it cost from $300,000 to $400,000 to bring the restaurant up to code while Ditto and his merry band of investors spent over $700,000 on the restoration. The contractor was Carraway Construction. The team kept the employees.
"We wouldn't have signed on without someone like Kane. It is apparent how much he cares about this place. It's a bonus he is providing much of the capital," said Evans.
The Mayflower will be open for lunch and dinner. Reservations will be accepted for dinner although walk-ins are welcome. Wi-fi will be available.
One tradition will not remain at the Mayflower. Diners will no longer be able to bring their own bottle of wine. The Mayflower obtained a permit to sell liquor so patrons can order a drink with their dinner. Profit margins are profit margins, after all. Evans said he is considering adding Greek wines to the menu.
Most of the menu will remained unchanged but will include new items such as frog legs. Evans said he is going to redo the stuffed flounder. Deviled crabs will return with the stuffing won't be frozen but will be made in the kitchen. Bottles of the cafe's legendary comeback sauce will be placed on the tables.
The Mayflower will be open Monday through Friday all day and Saturday for dinner. Oyster happy hour will be 4-5 weekdays. Private parties can rent out the space next door.
There will be a soft opening this weekend. The hard opening will take place at the end of the month.
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| Available for parties |
Kingfish note: Posted below are more pictures. Local photographer Rick Guy shot all photos for this story.
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| The logo pulled off an old matchbook |
Mr. Ditto, please considering bringing these back. Once upon a time, back in the 1950's, the Mayflower used these plates. Just a thought.
Some history.
45 comments:
I hope the guy (who filed the drinks) in the Cowboys cap is back
Can't wait to try it! Looks like they did a great job with the remodel and I know the food will be delicious with the Elvie's guys in charge.
Round of applause. If there's a group to do it, this one can. Best of luck. Can't wait to try it.
/s/ Madison Resident
Well, THIS is good news, something upbeat and positive at last for Jackson. I'll be there, again and again.
Looking forward to this coming back as a viable option for food in the downtown area.
It truly was a shame to see the decline of the prior Mayflower. By the end, the food had become inconsumable (unless, of course, you were over 80).
I didn't realize Mr. Mart was one of the investors! Happy to hear he still remains such an advocate for downtown Jackson!
Too bad the location still sucks.
Now lets bring back the Elite also!
1:45: Go in there on Friday nights and the specials were already gone. Went there nearly a year ago. Bisque was no longer on the menu and it was pretty damn good. Saw a stuffed fish dish, I think flounder or red snapper, waitress said I had to call 30 minutes prior so they could make it. Call. Didn't say that on the menu. When I asked how was I to know that when the menu didn't say so, only answer she could give me was that was his rule. Didn't have much of anything else that night so I wound up ordering something I did not want to eat. Thankfully the company made up for the mediocre experience.
Mayflower Comeback Sauce in Boone North Carolina
Glad The Mayflower will have another go. The legacy and its impact can't be overstated. There's a thriving restaurant at App State in Boone inspired by Mayflower. Just one example!
I liked the Mayflower as much as anyone, but I moved to the suburbs years ago and literally do not get out of my car in the city any more. My only trips in the city are on the interstates simply to pass through.
I hope that the new owners will honor Mr. Mike, a true legend in Special Operations, for his military service. He was an NCO on the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), in the Greek Operational Groups. He always minimized that, like a lot of true veterans. These dudes were the forerunners of the Special Forces/CIA paramilitary. The OGs were the OGs. There should be a CIA plaque to him. That was a very brutal campaign. "Parachuting in" Yeah, behind Nazi lines where they would be executed likely. True hero.
Amazing and inspiring. Now, if the incompetent Mayor and city officials will get out of the way, maybe this would spark a Renaissance of downtown.
1:52 PM "Too bad the location still sucks."
Everything shown and stated here is positive. Learn to shut up and scroll on by, and stay in your own suck-y location, please and thank you.
Don't bet on either one. Who is going to occupy all the empty offices downtown? Our commercial base is shrinking and most of what we had is GONE to the suburbs. The banks are gone .Almost ALL the law offices DT are gone, just like the medical offices that use to be housed on North State Street and other feeders. GONE and not coming back. A Downtown Renaisance WAS happening. Lumumba ruined it when he sat idle as the "shady class" made DT its playground and there were no rules. #DONE
My sister and I took our Dad there after Mom's funeral in 1997. Dining out was not in our parent's budget, so Dad hadn't been there in a long time. He, in amazement said, "it looks like it did in the 40's"....it was a bright spot in a sad time. Grateful to those who went to the effort to bring The Mayflower back!
fantastic job. there is hope
I'd rather have the Elite back . . .
Sad. Where do you eat?
Great news! Just don't mind my 1911 when I make my first visit.
Does in Greenville is in a less than desirable area…they provide security and people still come …
I grew up with Michael Kountouris. Went to jr. and high school with him. Fantastic family. Mike is an old friend. Glad to see this continue on. Awesome restaurant!
VERY well-done! The colors are great, and I love the slightly-darker ceiling color. That big duct, being a convex shape, should improve acoustics. It's positioned where it can stop a lot of reverb. I hated the old place, but the redo looks extremely inviting.
A ray of sunshine in a city with extensive cloud cover these days. We'll be dining there for sure. Good thing none of the JJ trolls will be there to F-up the ambiance.
The place needed a make over. I wish them the best
Many good memories from my youth of staying at the Hotel Heidelberg when my family was in town and dining at the Mayflower, the Elite, and the original location of Al's Half Shell. Saw some classic movies at the grand old Lamar Theater, which to my eyes rivaled the Orpheum in Memphis. Downtown Jackson was a great experience for this small town Delta boy.
That’s great! Now do the Elite and Two Sisters.
A few years before my father passed away I was able to take him to the Mayflower, I think it was around 2015 if I’m correct. He had signed up to serve in the Navy and was brought through Jackson to take the train to Great Lakes, Illinois for basic training before being sent to the South Pacific and being stationed on a destroyer. My Dad was raised during the Great Depression, had very little and that was the first time he had ever eaten chili and oyster crackers. He even showed me the stool he sat on In March 1944. He passed away in 2019 and I haven’t been back since. He came back from WWII, served again in Korea and settled in Jackson. He spoke very fondly of the Mayflower and of Jackson. I hate that the town went to hell in a handbag but I’m very glad that a fixture which was a memory for many people remained and WILL still be there.
Good for Kane Ditto and the investors to give back to the City. Bravo! Hope they do great.
You’re thinking of Frank
for years in jackson , short greeks ran all the best restaurants.
Speaking of Doe's, in Greenville, and we eat there often, the old Mayflower's 'bathrooms' didn't have nuthin' on the one at Doe's. Gottamighty! it's highly recommended that you take a whiz before dining there.
WIFI will be provided? Oh, great! So, everybody can take and make calls and diddle away at messaging the entire they're 'fine dining'.
You’re right. Also the Jews. Remember the Feldmans from Olde Tyme Deli? Aunt Judy and Uncle Irv. Aunt Judy was short and feisty and the best multi tasker I’ve ever seen. They treated their employees like family. I miss the deli and the cinnamon rolls.
He is back. I talked to him Monday.
Had lots of good times at the original. I hope this revamp thrives. The pics are great. And 10:04AM, not a day goes by that I don't miss Olde Tyme and Mr. Irv and the ladies there.
Is it possible that the portholes had been DELIBERATELY obscured, to prevent detectives', stationed on nearby rooftops, photographing parties doing "Bidnis"? Considering how much powerbrokering happened at The Mayflower, over the decades, I wouldn't be surprised.
I've lived in the metro my entire life, but I've never been to the Mayflower. (My favorite DT restaurant was always the Elite) I can't wait to try it now (that it's remodeled AND Capitol PD is DT). I hope that the daquiri bar stays closed, and I hope that the administration in Jackson is overhauled. I would like to see a revival in DT Jackson, but it's gonna take a whole lotta folks that CARE and are on the same page.
Prolly because 'specials' are typically lunch offerings. You go at night and can figure it out.
Other than this, Crechales on 80 is the last of the old, famous, great eateries in Jackson. We go often but we don't dilly around on 80 or I-220 after sundown. You can be armed but you'll always be outarmed.
Now Kane Ditto needs to revamp himself and run for Mayor. Jackson has yet to be as great since he served as mayor. He is greatly missed! He is greatly appreciated for all the good that he did for Jackson.
@Kingfish please auto-reject any comment that used the childishly stupid slang “prolly”
@3:42, please refresh my memory as it’s been some time, but wasn’t it Kane Ditto who effectively changed the governing structure of Jackson from a Board of Aldermen to the current Ward system?
I grew up in Jackson and it was a really nice place up until the early-mid 90s - it seemed to start going downhill once that change in how the city administration was done effectively led to the current state of affairs?
PS: Still love the Mayflower when I come home to visit. And still miss the Elite and Que Sera.
Matthew 7:24-27
Amen!
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